Football preview: Glenbard East hopes to leave DVC with a bang

Glenbard East's Omar Ayesh finds a hole as the defense closes in at practice on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013.

LOMBARD – Glenbard East has struggled to be competitive in the very difficult DuPage Valley Conference. The Rams are leaving the DVC for the Upstate Eight next year, but are hoping they can make some noise on the way out. East has a Division I safety and a new quarterback leading the way.

AT A GLANCE

Class: 8A

Coach: John Walters

2012 record: 1-8

Conference: DuPage Valley, 1-6, 7th

TOP RETURNERS

Jake Crounk sr. DL

Jake Frakes sr. DB

Tom Mogovero sr. S

Eric Sanbord sr. LB

Shane Santonocito sr. DE

Ben Sullivan jr. OL

Javon York sr. SS/RB

KEY NEWCOMERS

Mickey Farnham jr. LB

Justin Griffin jr. LB

D'Andre Johnson jr. OL

Joey Nolan jr. WR

Drake Pusateri jr. QB

Chris Ryan jr. OL

Richard Schager jr. WR

Dominic Wilberton jr. RB

WHAT TO WATCH

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Junior Drake Pusateri takes over at quarterback after the graduation of Joe Kotch, who was a prolific two-way threat for the Rams. Pusateri moves up from the sophomore level, but already has the respect of his teammates who voted him as one of four team captains.

"Everybody is faster, everybody is better and it's a lot more entertaining," Pusateri said.

DVC FAREWELL: Next year, Glenbard East will join the Upstate Eight Conference, meaning this is the last chance for the Rams to make some noise in the DVC. Coach John Walters said he hasn't talked about it with his team, but some of the juniors that will make the move are looking to leave a mark.

"We want to leave the DVC with a bang," said junior offensive lineman Ben Sullivan.

DANGEROUS 'D': With five returning starters back on defense, the Rams are hoping to disrupt opposing offenses. Last year, the Rams gave up more than 40 points in all eight of their losses. Led by senior captains at both safety spots, Javon York and Tom Mogovero, East expects improvement from its defense.

"Every situation we know how to attack it and we have every spot covered on the field," Mogovero said.

COACH'S QUOTE

"We're kind of counting on our defensive guys to kind of disrupt like the [Chicago] Bears, make things happen, give us some opportunities, short fields and things like that."